Vicky Pollard Traditional Cache
ForsdykeFinders: Seems it is now lost so have archived
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size:  (small)
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Standard cache hidden within Epping Forest slightly off the beaten track
Within areas of Epping Forest, the villagers of Loughton exercised their rights to gather wood for their fires. Only boughs more than 7ft from the ground were allowed to be lopped(pollarded) by just one man per household with the lopper responsible for removing the wood on a single sled pulled by no more than 2 horses. These rights were granted by Royal Charter in the 16th century and continued during Victorian times till the late 1800s. The start of the lopping season at midnight on 11th November each year was an opportunity for much Ale drinking before the fortified loppers advanced on the forest with their long-handed axes. Lopping traditionally ended on St Georges day (April 23rd).
Trees were pollarded every 18-25 years. Pollarded Beech trees can clearly be recognised from the knobbly crown and long vertical boughs which are now sizeable from not being lopped for over 100 years.
To access the cache the closest parking is at either.
51 40.237N 000 03.274E or 51 40 057N 000 03.886E
Although hardy Mountain Bikers may be able to reach it, I would not recommend it.
During the Summer leaf cover could make this tricky to locate.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Lrnu ohg,ab ohg!..vg'f onexrq haqre n snyyra Orrpu gerr (abg gur ovt bar)